Clear Springs Foods Inc., Idaho: Curtailment Order Completed
In 2009, Snake River Farm, a trout farm owned by Clear Springs Foods, Inc., in Snake River Canyon saw a decrease in surface water from springs and sought curtailment of junior groundwater pumping. In this case, the Director of IDWR found that Clear Springs was materially injured by junior groundwater pumping and ordered curtailment. Landsat imagery processed with METRIC was used to establish water budgets to assess depletions versus recharge. For recharge estimates, both evapotranspiration and surface-water diversion return flows were used. In response to the finding of material injury, groundwater irrigators in the affected area developed a mitigation plan, which was approved by IDWR, and they are no longer subject to curtailment.
Authors: Larisa Serbina and Holly Miller
In 2009, Snake River Farm, a trout farm owned by Clear Springs Foods, Inc., in Snake River Canyon (fig. 1) saw a decrease in surface water from springs (fig. 2) and sought curtailment of junior groundwater pumping. In this case, the Director of IDWR found that Clear Springs was materially injured by junior groundwater pumping and ordered curtailment. Landsat imagery processed with METRIC was used to establish water budgets to assess depletions versus recharge. For recharge estimates, both evapotranspiration and surface-water diversion return flows were used. In response to the finding of material injury, groundwater irrigators in the affected area (fig. 3) developed a mitigation plan, which was approved by IDWR, and they are no longer subject to curtailment.
Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Return to Agriculture from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Case Studies of Landsat Imagery Use
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In 2009, Snake River Farm, a trout farm owned by Clear Springs Foods, Inc., in Snake River Canyon saw a decrease in surface water from springs and sought curtailment of junior groundwater pumping. In this case, the Director of IDWR found that Clear Springs was materially injured by junior groundwater pumping and ordered curtailment. Landsat imagery processed with METRIC was used to establish water budgets to assess depletions versus recharge. For recharge estimates, both evapotranspiration and surface-water diversion return flows were used. In response to the finding of material injury, groundwater irrigators in the affected area developed a mitigation plan, which was approved by IDWR, and they are no longer subject to curtailment.
Authors: Larisa Serbina and Holly Miller
In 2009, Snake River Farm, a trout farm owned by Clear Springs Foods, Inc., in Snake River Canyon (fig. 1) saw a decrease in surface water from springs (fig. 2) and sought curtailment of junior groundwater pumping. In this case, the Director of IDWR found that Clear Springs was materially injured by junior groundwater pumping and ordered curtailment. Landsat imagery processed with METRIC was used to establish water budgets to assess depletions versus recharge. For recharge estimates, both evapotranspiration and surface-water diversion return flows were used. In response to the finding of material injury, groundwater irrigators in the affected area (fig. 3) developed a mitigation plan, which was approved by IDWR, and they are no longer subject to curtailment.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsSnake River Farm, Snake River Canyon, Idaho. Courtesy of Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsGround water outflows at Thousand Springs, Idaho, provide water to fish farms along the Snake River, Idaho. Courtesy of Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsSeasonal METRIC evapotranspiration along the Snake River, Idaho. Junior water rights affected by curtailment are highlighted in yellow. Courtesy of Idaho Department of Water Resources. (ET, evapotranspiration; mm, millimeters) Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Return to Agriculture from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
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Case Studies of Landsat Imagery Use
Having access to Landsat imagery provides the irreplaceable opportunity to observe landscape change on a long-term and global scale. These featured case studies demonstrate the value of Landsat imagery by providing specific examples of how people around the world are using the data to answer meaningful questions.